Ebn Yokdhan_ in all the
Languages which he understood, and ask him Questions concerning his way
of Life, and took pains to make him understand him; but all in vain, for
_Hai Ebn Yokdhan_ stood all the while wondring at what he heard, and did
not know what was the meaning of it, only he perceiv'd that _Asal_ was
pleas'd, and well-affected towards him. And thus they stood wondring one
at another.

Sec. 107. Now _Asal_ had by him some Remainder of the Provision which he
had brought along with him, from the inhabited Island from whence he
came; and he offer'd it to _Hai Ebn Yokdhan_, who did not know what to
make on't, for he had never seen any such before. Then _Asal_ eat some
of it himself, and invited _Hai Ebn Yokdhan_ by Signs to eat too. But
_Hai Ebn Yokdhan_ bethought himself of those Rules which he had
prescrib'd to himself, as to matter of Diet; and not knowing the Nature
of that which he offer'd him, nor whether it was lawful for him to
partake of it or not, he refus'd it. _Asal_ still continu'd urgent, and
invited him kindly: Now _Hai Ebn Yokdhan_ had a great Desire to be
acquainted with him, and was afraid that his continuing too stiff in his
Refusal, might alienate his Affections from him; so he ventured upon it,
and eat some. And when he had tasted of it, and lik'd it, he perceiv'd
that he had done amiss, in breaking those Promises which he had made to
himself concerning Diet. And he repented himself of what he had done,
and had Thoughts of withdrawing himself from _Asal_, and retreating to
his former State of Contemplation.

Sec. 108. But the _Vision_ did not easily appear to him at first, upon
which he resolv'd to continue with _Asal_ in the sensible World, till he
had thoroughly satisfied himself concerning him, that so when he had no
further Desire towards him, he might apply himself to his former
Contemplations without any Interruption. Wherefore he applyed himself to
the Society of _Asal_, who perceiving that he could not speak, was
secure of any Damage that might come to his Religion, by keeping Company
with him; and besides, had Hopes of teaching him Speech, Knowledge and
Religion, and by that means, of obtaining a great Reward, and near
Approach to God. He began therefore to teach him how to speak; first, by
shewing him particular Things, and pronouncing their Names, and
repeating them often, and perswading him to speak them: which he did
applying every Word to the Thing by it signified, till he had t